Keeping children safe on the internet

"I play games and I research for information for schoolwork," Stephen Wilson said.

But as some kids know, going online can also bring a threat.

"You could get in trouble, like, someone could find you that could hurt you or something," Adina Minkin said.

Deputy New York City schools chancellor Santiago Taveras read to students, at Brooklyn's P.S. 10.

A mascot helped kick off a citywide program for internet safety, based on a series of books about the character called, "Faux Paw, The Techno Cat." They are lessons children can understand.

"There are some things on the internet that children should not see and you could also catch viruses," Christian Gonzalez said.

The plan is for every public school in the city to have a copy of this book, and the Department of Education says the reason for the program is the fact that internet users are younger than ever before.

"You have to constantly remind students that they have to be careful where they're logging on and what they're doing on the internet, so it's a constant battle for parents, for teachers and administrators to make sure that the students are safe," Santiago Taveras said.

Jacalyn Leavitt, the former first lady of Utah, led the way in developing the techno series.

"The most important message would be, 'parents, engage with your children'. You don't have to be a computer expert to protect your family online, but you do need to talk to them," Leavitt said.

"If you go on the internet and you're not sure if it's safe or not, don't just be curious and go on it. You should ask your parents," student Marjani Phillip said.

You can learn more about keeping children safe on the internet, please visit ikeepsafe.org.